A six-week moderated online course for professionals interested in mobilising public and private finance for climate action
23 August 2023, Geneva, Switzerland - Asia-Pacific stands at the forefront of the climate crisis. It’s the world’s most carbon-intensive region – accounting for over half of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, it is also one of the most vulnerable – home to many of the developing countries most at risk of climate change.
These climate impacts are diverse – from melting glaciers in the Himalayas to flooding and extreme heatwaves in South Asia. And they are already impacting people’s lives – affecting agriculture, destroying homes, and threatening the livelihoods of millions across the region. We therefore need to act on climate now – but this requires finance. And far more climate finance than is currently being channeled. To address this gap and support countries in mobilizing finance for climate action, UNDP and UNITAR have joined forces to develop a six-week, moderated online course on Scaling Climate Finance in Asia-Pacific.
What is the course about?
There are increasing opportunities to scale climate finance in Asia-Pacific – whether it’s through making public finance go further, or mobilising new and innovative forms of climate finance.
Are you interested in learning about where these opportunities are?
Do you work in finance, climate change or another development field and feel there isn’t enough finance to achieve your country’s climate goals? Do you find the number of different finance tools, instruments and sources at times overwhelming?
If your answer to these questions is yes, then this course is for you!
It doesn’t matter whether you work in a Ministry of Finance, a central bank, the private sector or an NGO – everyone has a role to play in mobilising public and private finance for climate action.
This course will show you how – allowing you to engage with your peers in the region in learning how mainstreaming climate change into the national budget, or using innovative financing instruments like blended finance can support more ambitious climate action.
How will the course be delivered?
UNITAR
The course will be conducted virtually. A total of 24 learning hours will be delivered over six weeks between October and December 2024. It will contain six modules with each module split into two weekly sessions, as shown in the table.
The training will build on the launch of a new self-paced, e-learning course on “Scaling Climate Finance” to be hosted on UNITAR’s UN CC:e-Learn platform. Training participants will be invited to complete a pilot version of the course in advance of the training.
Who can attend the course?
The training is open to professionals working on climate finance and relevant issues in Asia-Pacific. This may include:
- Senior and mid-level staff responsible for managing or mobilizing climate finance at the national and sub-national level (e.g. from central finance ministries, relevant line ministries and sub-national governments)
- Individuals from relevant quasi-governmental organizations including state or central banks, state-owned enterprises and parastatals, supreme audit institutions and securities or exchange commissions
- Practitioners from non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, regional or national think tanks and education and training institutes focused on climate-related issues
- Representatives of UN agencies or other international organizations providing climate finance support to governments in the region
How do I apply?
To apply to attend the course, applicants should complete the following application form by Midnight (CEST) on Sunday, 15th September 2024.
When completing the application form applicants should also attach the following documents:
- Letter of nomination from employer or supervisor
- One-page CV or resume including experience in relevant initiatives
If applicants are not able to attach these documents to the Google Form they should send the documents to Colm Hastings (colm.hastings@unitar.org) by the same date instead.
The course is free to attend and applicants will not be charged a fee at any stage of the process.
How will applicants be selected?
Please note that places on the course are limited and participants will be selected based on their current level of involvement and previous experience in planning, managing or mobilising climate finance.
Gender balance will also be considered in the selection process, with qualified women, as well as individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, youth representatives and persons with disabilities particularly encouraged and welcomed to apply.
Selected candidates can expect to hear back within two weeks of the application deadline. Participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certificate of completion.
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